M.O.S. Satellite Science and Application Data Center. Photo courtesy of the interviewee
Renderings of the "Aoke-1" satellite.
Zhang Keke, President of the Macao Academy of Space Technology and Application and Chief Scientist of the "Macao-1" Satellite.
This year is in the peak year of the 25th solar cycle. In March, the solar activity intensified, and many netizens saw the aurora in Mohe, Heilongjiang, Genhe, Inner Mongolia and other places, and encountered a romantic visual feast. But the brighter the aurora, the more intense the geomagnetic storm, the greater the threat to ground infrastructure, etc.
During this period, the data transmitted by the "Macao Science 1" satellite (hereinafter referred to as "Macao Science 1") that was "standing guard" in the starry sky was analyzed by a team of scientists, and found strong spatiotemporal changes in the Earth's magnetic field and related solar flares in geomagnetic storms. This achievement has attracted the attention of all walks of life around the world.
"Macao-1" is the first scientific satellite jointly developed by the mainland and Macao, the world's first low-latitude earth magnetic field and space environment detection satellite, and the mainland satellite with the highest accuracy of earth magnetic field detection. Why is it used to observe geomagnetic storms? What is the use? Recently, a reporter from Nandu and N Video interviewed Zhang Keke, president of the Macao Academy of Space Technology and Application and chief scientist of the "Macao-1" satellite.
1
Starry Sky "Sentinel"
For the first time in China, a dramatic change in the Earth's magnetic field in a geomagnetic storm has been observed
On May 21 last year, the "Aoke-1" was successfully launched on board the Long March-2C carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and was officially put into use on November 28. More than three months later, in March this year, a team of scientists led by Zhang Keke analyzed the data and discovered the strong temporal and spatial changes in the Earth's magnetic field in the recent geomagnetic storm and the associated solar flares.
On March 23, solar activity intensified, and the strongest solar proton event of the year occurred, with an X1-class flare erupting. Space energetic particles move towards the Earth at a high speed of about 500 kilometers per second, and the Earth's magnetic field underwent a dramatic change on March 24-26.
At that time, "Aoke No. 1" was like a sentry standing guard in the starry sky, constantly operating and flying over the earth. The high-precision geomagnetic field instrument carried by the satellite continuously observes the spatial and temporal changes of the geomagnetic field, and transmits the corresponding data back to the satellite ground station of Macau University of Science and Technology. It is understood that the "Aoke-1" adopts the "A satellite + B satellite" joint observation mode, with the A satellite carrying high-precision magnetic field observation payloads, energy electron spectrometers, laser reflectors and other payloads, focusing on high-precision earth magnetic field measurement tasks; B satellite carrying medium-energy particle detectors, solar X-ray detectors, laser reflectors and other payloads, focusing on the detection of solar X-rays and energy particles in the earth's radiation belt.
In the satellite data processing center about 300 meters away from the satellite ground station, Zhang Keke and his team members receive, process and analyze the data transmitted back from satellite A and satellite B, and come up with the following results: During the orbit of satellite B, there are three effective observations of the flare activity, the evolution of the soft X-ray spectrum in the flare region is described, and the ascending phase of the flare is observed.
"Aoke-1" successfully and accurately observed the corresponding data, which clearly indicates that this is a geomagnetic storm. This is the first time in China that the earth's magnetic field changes dramatically in a geomagnetic storm after a solar flare have been observed.
2
Cutting-edge technology
To make up for the gap, the indicators are better than those of similar foreign satellites
"In the past, only foreign satellite teams could observe it, but this time it is us. ”
"Macao-1" is the first scientific satellite jointly developed by the mainland and Macao, the world's first low-latitude earth magnetic field and space environment detection satellite, and also the satellite with the highest accuracy of the mainland's earth magnetic field detection, jointly carried out by the China National Space Administration and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. The satellite system is developed by the China Academy of Space Technology Aerospace Dongfanghong Satellite Co., Ltd. and Northwestern Polytechnical University, the scientific payload is provided by Macau University of Science and Technology, and the scientific data analysis and application are jointly carried out by Macau University of Science and Technology and relevant units in the mainland.
According to Zhang Keke, "Aoke-1" has a number of innovative highlights in satellite engineering technology. It is also the geomagnetic satellite with the highest degree of magnetic cleanliness in China and payload, and can accurately measure the weak magnetic field signal in nature. "The accuracy of our satellite magnetic field measurements is very high, and some indicators are better than similar satellites in the West. ”
With the support of cutting-edge technology, "Aoke-1" can observe many phenomena that cannot be observed by domestic satellites before, such as the geomagnetic storm that has attracted attention recently, accurately measure the temporal and spatial changes of the earth's magnetic field, and provide data support for geomagnetic scientific research, resource exploration, magnetic field navigation, space environment monitoring and other fields in the mainland and even around the world.
3
Geomagnetic storm impacts
or the destruction of ground infrastructure, causing huge economic losses
Why are geomagnetic storms observed at home and abroad?
Geomagnetic storms can cause serious damage to ground infrastructure such as power systems and oil pipelines, resulting in huge economic losses. According to Zhang Keke, when the magnetic field changes dramatically, it will generate a large current on the surface of the ground, such as the power grid, oil and gas and other long-distance transmission lines are easy to form induced current, resulting in power grid tripping, pipeline corrosion and other impacts.
According to media reports, in September 1859, the worst geomagnetic storm event on record, caused the melting of telegraph equipment in parts of Europe and eight days of severe space weather, as well as the destruction of the entire telegraph network system in the United States and caused a fire. In March 1989, a spectacular aurora show appeared over the Canadian province of Quebec, and a geomagnetic storm hidden behind it tripped seven relays almost simultaneously, leaving 6 million people without power for nine hours.
Geomagnetic storms may also affect satellite orbits. Geomagnetic storms heat the middle and upper atmosphere, which then causes an increase in the density of the middle and upper atmosphere, and the satellites located there suddenly increase their drag, causing them to deviate from their established orbits or fall. In 2022, SpaceX's 49 Starlink satellites were just launched into the sky, and 38 of them were not able to enter orbit due to geomagnetic storms, thus re-entering the atmosphere and crashing.
In addition, geomagnetic storms may also affect some birds that rely on the Earth's magnetic field to navigate, and aeronautical communications, global positioning system signals, and even mobile phone communications may be interfered with. However, although it will have an impact on the orbital operation of aircraft and satellites, it can also be measured and controlled. Taking the geomagnetic storm that occurred in March as an example, the "Aoke-1" was also affected, and its orbit was lowered. However, the satellite is equipped with an engine, and once it is found that it has deviated from the established orbit, it can ignite the engine and correct the satellite's orbit.
4
The sun is active
Monitor the earth's magnetic field for real-time warning of potential disasters
According to the prediction of the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the International Solar Activity Forecasting Group, 2024 will be the peak year of the 25th solar activity cycle, and subsequent eruptions will become more and more frequent.
"In the year of solar activity, the sun is relatively active, which is one of the reasons why the public feels that geomagnetic storms have been frequent in recent years. Zong Weiguo, director of the Space Weather Technology R&D Office of the National Space Weather Monitoring and Warning Center, once said in an interview with the media.
The presence of solar activity does not necessarily lead to geomagnetic storms, and direct monitoring of the Earth's magnetic field can more directly and accurately predict geomagnetic storms. The high-precision observation data provided by "Macao-1" can provide real-time early warning of potential geomagnetic disasters and play an important role in fully protecting the safety of the country and people's property.
Zhang Keke said that the earth's magnetic field is the most important physical field to understand the operation, structure and properties of the earth system, and it is also the only physical field that can reflect the characteristics of the earth's core, mantle, ocean, lithosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere. When the Earth's magnetic field suddenly increases or decreases a lot in a short period of time, the Earth's magnetic field changes dramatically to produce geomagnetic storms. However, not every geomagnetic storm will occur in this phenomenon, depending on the intensity of the geomagnetic storm, which requires accurate data on the changes in the Earth's magnetic field.
"The effect is immeasurable. Zhang Keke said that plans are being made to establish a system to make a rough forecast of possible catastrophic events, but because the "Aoke No. 1" has only been put into use for 4 months, it not only needs data accumulation, but also needs further scientific research.
5
Industrialization of research results
Macao and Zhuhai plan to jointly establish a research institute
Further scientific research on the observed data involves the understanding of the entire earth science and technology, the development of core new technologies and software, and the research of core science, which is inseparable from the construction of R&D personnel and others.
Since 2005, the Macau University of Science and Technology team has participated in several national aerospace projects, such as the lunar exploration project and the Tianwen-1 Mars mission, to conduct data analysis and related research work. In July 2018, with the support of all parties, the State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences was established, which laid a solid scientific foundation for the research of "Macao-1". The satellite science team led by Zhang Keke is a team composed of researchers from Macao, the Mainland and abroad, including researchers in geophysics, space physics, data processing, and model algorithms.
The team of scientists will use the data to study different scientific problems, so as to predict changes in the earth's magnetic field, explore resources, navigate, and monitor the space environment by establishing a high-precision magnetic field model. This technology can also be applied to everyday life, such as the magnetic field model used in the navigation system of mobile phones.
Human beings have a long history of observing, researching, and using the earth's magnetic field. In everyday life, the Earth's magnetic field provides an indispensable natural navigation reference for humans. Mineral resources survey, indoor navigation, navigation navigation, space weather forecasting and other applications all require accurate magnetic field data.
"The main feature of the GBA is its flexibility. Not only in terms of scientific and technological research, but also in the aerospace science and technology of the Greater Bay Area, there are great application scenarios. ”
And to industrialize research results and truly apply them, "scientists, enterprises, and governments must further unite." Zhang Keke said, "We are in talks with Zhuhai to jointly establish a research institute." We should use new science and technology to promote productive forces, establish research institutes, and put new science and technology, new technology, and new ideas into application, so that the entire relevant industry can move forward. ”
6
Bay Area Starlink
Preparations are underway for the construction of "Macao Tech No. 2"
"I hope to take advantage of this opportunity and move forward. Zhang Keke said that from the development and launch of "Macao-1" to the current observation and scientific research, it has brought a new stage to the development of aerospace science and technology in the Greater Bay Area and even in China, and has produced positive benefits and international impact effects.
The "Macao-1" project and observation data have attracted the attention of all walks of life from all walks of life. On April 11, Beijing time, Zhang Keke shared with a reporter from Nandu that he and his team members made a report on the project significance, scientific significance, application significance, and important scientific achievements of the "Aoke-1" at the SWARM 10th anniversary and 2024 scientific conference held in Copenhagen, attracting the attention and high affirmation of nearly 300 aerospace experts from around the world. "There was a lot of interest in our project, including the data we observed. ”
It has been revealed that the conference has determined that in May next year, the European Space Agency will hold a scientific symposium in Macao, "not only our satellite, which is equivalent to further improving and displaying the aerospace strength of the Greater Bay Area and even the mainland." ”
"Aoke No. 1" has gained international recognition. At present, the project has signed cooperative research agreements with 18 internationally renowned research institutions, and will share the data observed by "Macao-1", helping the Greater Bay Area to build a major scientific and technological innovation platform facing the world.
The joint research and development, successful launch, stable operation in orbit and the development of scientific research tasks have opened up a new model of scientific and technological innovation cooperation between the Mainland and Macao, which will fully cultivate Macao's scientific and technological innovation talents, set a good example of scientific and technological innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and provide support for the aerospace industry in the Greater Bay Area with cutting-edge technology.
Nandu reporter learned that the team is considering the construction of "Aoke No. 2", which will cooperate with "Aoke No. 1" to form a constellation and build a "Bay Area Starlink", if it can be determined, it will greatly promote the development of aerospace in the Greater Bay Area.
There are also these "important tools of the country" to detect solar activity
In September 2023, the annular array solar radio imaging telescope, one of the landmark equipment of the second phase of the National Major Science and Technology Infrastructure Meridian Project, successfully passed the process test and was officially completed.
In January 2024, China's Kwafu-1 satellite successfully recorded the largest flare so far in the 25th solar activity week.
In February 2024, the solar physics team of Nanjing University constructed a solar dark strip and a three-dimensional velocity field of the solar field based on the full-solar spectral imaging of the Xihe satellite, a pioneer of solar exploration.
A little science about geomagnetic storms
In fact, the occurrence of geomagnetic storms has little impact on the daily life of the public, and although the positioning error of satellite navigation equipment may increase, it has little impact on the public's daily use of navigation and other functions.
"There's solar activity, not necessarily geomagnetic storms. Zhang Keke explained. The Earth's surface has its own umbrella, the Earth's magnetic field.
Nandu Survey No. 258
A series of reports on "Chasing Dreams in the Sky and Building Chains".
A08-11 edition
Director: Rong Mingchang, Liu Jiangtao
Producer: Tao Ran, Wang Jia, Tian Shuangyue
Planning: Chen Shifu Ke Guan Jianming
Executive planner: Ouyang Yunwei, Yang Honghui, Jiang Ying, Zhou Quan, Jin Guohua
Co-ordinator: Li Zhiqi, Pan Yingyu
Written by: Nandu reporter Li Zhiqi, Pan Yingyu, intern Gan Xiaolin
Design: Liu Yanyan, He Xin